Thread: Barbers hone ?

Hello everyone,

The japanese water stone that I use to sharpen my planes has no information relating to grit. I have sharpened an old razor the best I can, it will slice a piece of paper, but will not cut the hair on my arm. Not really wanting to purchase a Norton 4K/8K, I bought a 2 sided barbers hone from a seller from the classifieds thinking that I might be able to bring it to a more acceptable level of sharpness.

I recieved that hone and am very happy with it's condition but have some questions. From what I can gather, the BH is used to bring back a previously properly honed razor that has become dull to a shave ready condition. From previously read info I gather that 4-5 strokes are all that is required. After 5 strokes my razor is still not able to pass the arm shave test. Do I just continue to stroke? Is it possible to overhone with a BH.

This is an old razor that I am practicing on while my other is being properly sharpened. When I get that one back I will be able to see and feel what "really sharp" really means. In the mean time, trying to learn on my own. I bought Lynn's DVD and that is great but no mention of the barbers hone.

Thanks for any input .

Originally Posted by Nu2this

Hello everyone,

The japanese water stone that I use to sharpen my planes has no information relating to grit. I have sharpened an old razor the best I can, it will slice a piece of paper, but will not cut the hair on my arm. Not really wanting to purchase a Norton 4K/8K, I bought a 2 sided barbers hone from a seller from the classifieds thinking that I might be able to bring it to a more acceptable level of sharpness.

I recieved that hone and am very happy with it's condition but have some questions. From what I can gather, the BH is used to bring back a previously properly honed razor that has become dull to a shave ready condition. From previously read info I gather that 4-5 strokes are all that is required. After 5 strokes my razor is still not able to pass the arm shave test. Do I just continue to stroke? Is it possible to overhone with a BH.

This is an old razor that I am practicing on while my other is being properly sharpened. When I get that one back I will be able to see and feel what "really sharp" really means. In the mean time, trying to learn on my own. I bought Lynn's DVD and that is great but no mention of the barbers hone.

Thanks for any input .

You have choose tough road.
As far as i understand your blade is not shave ready? you made 5 strokes on barber hone and didn't help?
it won't help ?
You are saying barber hone will bring back previously properly honed razor?
This is right and if your blade wasn't ready it will not make it shave ready with 4-5 strokes.
You need to use courser side of the hone first . Use that side until it will pop up your arm hairs after that you go head to the finer side where is the brand of the hone. I think you will need more then 4-5 laps to make it shave ready condition.
you continue finer side until you get satisfied result.
Generally it is not advisable start to learn hone razor with barber hones. it is not impossible but not easy way to go.
hope this helps GL

Barbers hones in the progression of hones are the last thing you go to. They are a maintenance hone. You can use a 4/8 then go to a barber hone. If there is no established bevel you will need a 1k or some way of setting the bevel. Once set move to the 4/8 then to the barber to finish the edge.

You tool stone is good for tools, I would not trust it for razors. Also Japanese stones do not usually have grits associated with them because they are natural. It would help if you had a pic or could tell us from what quarry or mine it came from.

Cutting paper to test the sharpness of a knife is fine but the edge of a straight razor is more delicate than the edge of a knife. Cutting paper with a straight razor should be avoided as well as flicking a thumb pad on the edge. Just an FYI.

If you are really wanting to learn to hone you need to get the proper equipment. Barber's hones will get you there but it will take a long time if you don't give up and I am not sure what you would learn. Think of filling a 30 gallon garbage pail with sand using a tea spoon. It will take an awful long time but you eventually will get it done. Setting a bevel (getting the blade to cut arm hair) is where most of the metal is removed in the honing process and most Barber's hones are not made to remove that much metal in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks everyone,-----------------looks like I'll have to get that Norton set up after all.

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Or what you could do is send it out to be honed by someone with experience in honing razors, which will cost much less than a Norton 4/8, and then you can touch up the edge on your barber hone when necessary. This will keep you going until you are ready to buy the correct equipment and learn to hone properly.

+1 even if you are set on honing your own having the pro honed razor gives you something to gauge your own efforts once you get started. When you get your razor back from Lynn you'll see what I mean. If you are going to practice honing my advice would be to do it on you other edges and leave the one Lynn honed for shaving until you feel comfortable that you can hone and touch up an edge correctly. The Norton or Naniwa sets and a barber hone for touching up would be ideal.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

+1 even if you are set on honing your own having the pro honed razor gives you something to gauge your own efforts once you get started. When you get your razor back from Lynn you'll see what I mean. If you are going to practice honing my advice would be to do it on you other edges and leave the one Lynn honed for shaving until you feel comfortable that you can hone and touch up an edge correctly. The Norton or Naniwa sets and a barber hone for touching up would be ideal.

Thanks,
When the razor comes back, indeed I'll have a gauge to relate to. I have no clue as to what a really sharp razor feels like, I can harrdly wait. In the mean time I am using another blade to practice on.

I appreciate the comments.